18 month pediatrician visit

I just got back from my pediatrician appointment. Given the traumatic situation I endured last weekend, I actually did okay. I cried when I was being measured and weighed and when Dr. B looked in my ears and mouth, but other than that, I just clung to Mommy and rested my head on her shoulder as she and Dr. B talked.

I weigh 22lb, 5 oz (more on that in a bit) and am 31.5 inches long. This puts me in the 30th percentile for weight and 45th percentile for height.

My ears looked good, which means the amoxicillin is working, and my breathing seemed okay. Mommy told Dr. B about what happened last weekend when we were in Dayton and Dr. B raised the potential of asthma. He said that it is a little late in my life to just now be showing up, but that it could really come at any time. He also said that he would have been surprised if I didn't "wheeze" at all in my first 2 years of life, given my diagnosis at birth. When it comes to some medical problems, such as asthma, Dr. B's rule of thumb is this: 1st time is an accident, 2nd time a coincidence, and 3rd time a problem. So, he said as of now we will look at last weekend's issue as an accident and just keep our fingers crossed that this is a rare occurrence and doesn't lead to anything serious.

Obviously, I have lost some weight (almost a pound) since my visit to the neonatal clinic 2 months ago. Most of it came off these past few days while I was sick and not eating. But, still, Mommy was concerned that I wasn't gaining as much as she thought I would. I am just about 1 pound more than I was at 9 months old.

So, here's the lowdown. First of all, Dr. B said I'm still in the 30th % which is 30 times what I was at birth. Oh yeah, we always seem to forget that! Dr. B said that a child's weight from 6-9 months is mostly due to food and nutritional intake. From 9 months to 2-3 years old, the largest weight factor becomes genetics. How insightful!!

I was a chunker at 9 months because I was drinking A TON of milk (40 oz./day is a lot) and starting to eat solids. I still eat a lot (a very healthy, well-balanced diet, actually) and appear to be getting all the appropriate nutrients (seeing as I'm very active, developing on track, rarely sick (not counting this last episode!), sleeping well, happy, etc.). So, chances are, genetics have kicked in, and I am going to be a thin child. If any of you have seen pictures of my Mommy as a child, she was pretty much skin and bones until she was a teenager. Daddy was not a beefy kid either. Dr. B said I just don't have it in me to be a big kid.

Now, Dr. B also said that though he would be very surprised if this was the case, there is still a slight chance that I have "failure to thrive" and if at 2 years old, my weight hasn't changed much, we will begin to test for possible reasons why. But Dr. B says we shouldn't worry about that because it's highly unlikely. He just doesn't want to give Mommy false reassurance. Keeping it real...that's why we like Dr. B.

Mommy agrees with Dr. B and thinks the genetic factor makes complete sense. Plus, I think if it weren't for my crazy weight gain between months 6-9, this would totally be a non-issue. So, Mommy is not going to worry anymore and neither are you! Capishe? Good!

The best news of the morning is that I didn't have to get any shots! I still need my MMR and my second Hep A, but both of those can be further delayed. I will get MMR at 2 years (unless by some crazy phenom, there is a measles or mumps outbreak before then) and Hep A can be given any time from now until I am 3. Mommy just didn't want to see me cry anymore and Dr. B agreed that we could wait. After these 2 shots, I will not be due for any more until I am 5 years old. YAY for me!

Oh, you all might be wondering about the hair pulling thing that Mommy brought up a couple days ago. A couple of times lately, when I would throw my food on the floor and Mommy would tell me "Addison, do not throw your food", I would scrunch my face and pull at my hair....getting food in it in the meantime, which drives Mommy crazy! Dr. B said this is just my way of throwing a tantrum and to be glad I don't kick and scream. He said don't pay any attention to it and I will stop. He actually said that 15-18 months is typically the worse for tantrum throwing. It looks like Mommy might have gotten off easy because I am not a tantrum thrower. I throw food, not tantrums! Or maybe Mommy shouldn't speak too soon and I am just saving it for later. Anyway, Mommy was glad to know that it wasn't an early sign of this. Is my Mommy WEIRD, or what? It's okay that you all are shaking your heads "yes". Really, it's okay. We know and we're working on it. :)

Dr. B said that I am developing just as he'd hoped, if not more so. My next appointment will be when I turn 2, unless there are any concerns before then. Thank goodness because I need a break from doctors!

Just call me Betty

Betty Crocker, that is. Or Duncan Hines, if we're getting technical. Mommy and I baked a cake and cupcakes for Grandma and our neighbor friend's birthdays.

As soon as I heard Mommy say that we were making cupcakes, I went straight to the drawer with the cupcake pans!

Okay, Mommy, I'm ready to make cupcakes!

But, do I have to touch the mixer? It's a little scary.

Okay, I will touch it for one picture.

But I'd prefer stirring with the spatula while you use the mixer.

The mixing was complete. While Mommy was prepping the cake pans, I played with my own dishes, talking about what I was making, but Mommy couldn't understand what I was saying.

After a super-good and quite sweaty (mommy loves it when I wake up smelling like sweat - she's weird!) nap, the cakes were cool and ready for decorating!

I iced the cupcakes.

And decorated them with sprinkles.

Then I iced Grandma's cake.

And couldn't keep that arm out of the way. A smart Mommy would have moved the icing to my other side so I didn't have to reach across my body!

Sprinkles followed.

Lots and lots of sprinkles!

And just a few more for good measure.

The final product. Doesn't it look great? Well, if 3 people going through more than half of it in one night tells you anything....

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Grandma.

And getting kisses in return! I must be a really good baker!

Hope you had a great birthday, Grandma!

I am 18 months old today!

Happy 1 1/2 year birthday to me! I have my 18 month pediatrician appointment on Friday and will update afterwards to let you all know how it went. I assume I am getting shots, so I am not really looking forward to it, but Mommy is looking forward to raising some issues that have been on her mind. For example, my lack of weight gain and whether it's normal that sometimes when I am scolded, I pull at my hair. Plus, since we were out of town when I got sick last weekend, she wants to bring all the paperwork and chest x-rays for Dr. B to take a look. And he can check my ear to make sure the amoxicillin is doing the trick. Perfect timing, really!

YAY! The swimming pool is open for the season!

Mommy, Daddy, and I have been anxiously waiting for the pool to open. It is so fun, I didn't want to leave!

Daddy teaching me to swim.


Drying off with Daddy.

Milk Bubbles

Grandpa Tom

I haven't seen my Grandpa Tom in a while and was able to visit with him a couple times this weekend while I was in Dayton. Fortunately I was feeling and looking well enough (even though I wasn't smiley) to take a couple pictures Monday.

Gammy's 60th Birthday Party

As you all probably saw in my post yesterday, my Gammy turned 60 years young yesterday. And my Grandma F. has a birthday today, by the way. Isn't that weird?!

I want to thank everyone for praying for me to get better from my scary stint of illness that we posted about. I am still improving, but am MUCH better than I was on Saturday. I was even feeling well enough to go to Gammy's birthday party for a little bit on Sunday. Mommy was so happy that I could attend because there were going to be a lot of people she wanted me to see. 73 people, in fact....comprised of family, friends and even my Grandma and Grandpa F. (who is family, I know, but on my Daddy's side). It's really nice that my Grandparents get along so well that they even attend one another's parties. I am one lucky little girl!

Mommy and my Aunts planned the party and with the help of other family members, we were able to pull off a wonderful party with lots of food and games! The party was held at a local park so there were many fun things! Grandpa F. and I had a blast on the playground.

And the food was delicious! A lot of people brought dishes to share, so there was A TON of food. Enough for several people to take home as leftovers!

Because I was still a little sick, Gammy made sure that I was getting my fluids, especially because I was hardly eating anything. Though Grandma F. was able to get me to eat a few pretzels!

I just wanted to show you that my eyes are as big and blue as ever, even when I am sick. :)

Well, as a result of the extra efforts to get some fluid, I ended up soaking my dress. I mean, it would have been fine. It was just water. It felt good, actually. But, you know, Mommy brought a few extra outfits and took the opportunity to use them. Introducing....another bubble! The picture is of me and my Grandmas, but you probably already knew that.


My Aunt Lori made these awesome collages with pictures of Gammy over the last 60 years.

I was pointing out all the people I knew in the pictures. Here I am pointing to a picture of Gammy and Poppy in their Santa hats from a previous Christmas.

This is my Great Grandpa who is turning 90 this year, eating with all the kids. Mommy took this picture, because this is not unusual. Grandpa LOVES his 50 something grandchildren and great grandchildren!


This is some of Poppy's family, including Poppy and my Aunt Beth.

My Gammy's friend, Victor, is a certified clown and knows how to make over 100 different balloon shapes. He was a huge hit!

He made dogs and flowers and hearts and airplanes (like the one my cousin, Michael, has below)

and funny hats, like the one my cousin, Daniel, is wearing.

He also made Gammy a funny hat that she wore while we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

And because we made Gammy wear the hat, she thought it would be funny to make me wear it.

Cousin, Noah, too!

As usual, hanging with the Aunt Beth was a highlight of the day.

I love holding hands with people and guiding them to where I want to go.

Did I mention that it was a scorcher outside? You may have been able to tell by all the sweaty children. Cousin Noah was so hot he had to take his clothes off.

Just checking things out and making sure the party is still going well.

Wearing my cousin, Nata's, sunglasses and holding a dog leash. Ironically, these are 2 of my favorite things - suhgasses and sheesh.

After a few hours of partying, I was starting to get pretty tired. So I said my goodbyes and gave Gammy one more birthday hug and kiss. Then, Grandma and Grandpa F. took me back to Gammy and Poppy's to put me to bed. That was soooo nice and helpful of them!


Apparently the party didn't stop once I left. The corn hole got even more competitive

and a big game of family kickball was played.

The following series of pictures are ones that Mommy took while Uncle Pat was roasting Gammy. Mommy just loves these pictures because it shows true, genuine happiness, which is just what Mommy was wishing for Gammy on her birthday.

Darkness fell and the party was still going on! Pictured are Gammy, 7 of her 8 siblings (Aunt Jan lives in heaven), and my Great Grandma. Great Grandpa can only take so much partying and was already home in bed.

Gammy had the best time at her party (she told me so) and I want to thank everyone who helped make it such a special day for her! I love you, Gammy!